Series – A Novel Glimpse

Series Review: Holiday Brothers (Willa Nash)

I have some holiday romance fun to share with you today! Below you will find three mini reviews for the books in Willa Nash’s Holiday Brothers series. If you find yourself wanting to read them, they’re all on Kindle Unlimited right now.

The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is the first book in the Holiday Brothers series. It is about the oldest holiday brother, Maddox. He’s a single father who needs a nanny for a week when he returns to his hometown of Bozeman, Montana for Christmas. Luckily, nanny Natalie is sent his way. What made this book so fun was how Natalie connected with Maddox’s “angel” of a daughter. Violet was such a spirited kid and I loved how the story wove around her. The fact that Maddox was also Natalie’s high school crush made things even sweeter. Maddox and Natalie had great chemistry. I loved every minute of this book!

Three Bells, Two Bones and One Brother’s Best Friend
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

I was looking forward to Heath and Stella’s book based on a scene in the first book. This was a falling for your older brother’s best friend romance. Stella had been crushing on Heath since she was 14. Every time she was around him something embarrassing happened. She was determined to move along from her crush, but starting a job at his company didn’t help…nor did the fact that he was putting the moves on her. I loved how the whole brother’s best friend thing went and I also loved all of Stella’s crazy sayings. This novella was a lot of fun to read.

A Partridge and a Pregnancy
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

In the first book Tobias tells Maddox about Eva and the pregnancy, so I couldn’t wait to get this story as well! Eva and Tobias had a romantic history in college that turned into a one night stand in adulthood. They were supposed to be saying goodbye, but that turned into a different kind of hello. Eva drove me a little nuts at first, but I got that she was coming to term with changes she was going to have to make. I wished Tobias would have communicated a little better with Eva throughout it all. Other than that, I loved how things ended up.

Overall thoughts on the series:

The Holiday Brothers series was a fun holiday read. My favorite was the first novella because it felt the most complete. The others were just as fun, though. All of them had moments that made me laugh, smile, and swoon. I would have read full length romances for all of these characters.

Review: Don’t Cry Over Spilled MILF (Willow Aster & Laura Pavlov)

Don’t Cry Over Spilled MILF
Series: The G.D. Taylors, #4
Authors: Willow Aster, Laura Pavlov
Publication Date: November 18, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Fiction

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

𝐀 𝐡𝐨𝐭, 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦.

𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐩, 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧. 𝐆𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐍𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝.

Susannah
I make my living writing romance.
I prefer my heroes to remain fictional.
But Gus Taylor is better than anything I could have dreamed up.
Sexy and funny and dauntingly handsome.
My little girl and I have been on our own for a long time and that’s the way I want to keep it.
But Gus Taylor makes me question everything I believe.

Gus
I’m a good-time guy.
I’ve always worn the title with pride.
But from the moment Susannah Brighton moves next door, I’m a goner.
And she’s got a little girl.
In the beginning, I think she’s just a mom I’d like to—forget about it.
All that’s changed now that I know Susannah and her angelic daughter.
I’ll do whatever it takes to win her over.
Because when you know, you know.
And I plan on writing myself into her happily ever after.

Get ready for a gushing review because I am in love with Don’t Cry Over Spilled MILF. This single mom falling for her neighbor romance was adorable sweet and so, so funny.

Gus was HILARIOUS. I mean, the guy is innately cocky, yet also has this sense of humor to balance him out. He comes across as immature at first, but it’s just his sense of humor and his enjoyment of life. He has brought the funny to this series so many times, and it only gets better in his own book. With every book in this series, I have a new favorite Taylor and I think Gus is the ultimate Taylor brother. I loved how he inserted himself into Susannah and Olive’s lives and what a sweet man he was to them.

Susannah was a tough cookie. She had to be with what she had been through. She was a single mother raising a five year old daughter while writing romance novels and making Netflix deals. Her reactions to Gus cracked me up as well as made me swoon. He brought some joy to her life that she was missing.

Olive, Susannah’s daughter, was exactly what I like kids to be in books. She was ADORABLE and funny and doing exactly what kids her age would do. The way she instantly bonded with Gus and made him her friend was cute and funny. Those two were quite the pair. There were so many great moments involving their friendship. If you’ve read this book, you know how funny it is that her name is Olive, too. It was really perfect.

I don’t want to give too much away, but Gus wooing Susannah was one of the most entertaining, fun, hilarious, sweet, and somehow sexy courting displays in books I’ve ever read. He reads her romance novels, people. He uses them as inspiration to woo her. I won’t say more because it’s something a romance reader will want to experience for themselves.

I laughed and smiled so hard while reading this book. It filled me with joy. There were a couple of sadder parts, but overall was uplifting and a good time. This series has gotten better and better with each book, and that was quite the feet because I loved each and every one of these books. I’m kind of sad there’s only one book left, the Taylor sister’s, because I don’t want this series to end. I love these characters so much.

Review: Puck Shy (Teagan Hunter)

Puck Shy
Series: Carolina Comets, #1
Author: Teagan Hunter
Publication Date: October 28, 2021
Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

I’m having the definition of a bad year.

Game Six loss costing my team the Cup? Check.
Getting arrested and ruining my image? Check.
Almost getting run over after my car breaks down? Oh, look—a hat trick.

My contract is up with the Carolina Comets this year, and I need to get it together if I want to stay with the team.

I need relaxation, not a relationship.

But when I’m scrolling on a dating app and stumble across the pretty girl who almost ran me over, I know I can’t let her walk away this time.

Harper is funny, smart, and doesn’t care about hockey.

I’m not supposed to be focusing on anything other than my career, yet I can’t get Harper off my mind.

I know I shouldn’t fall for her…but I think I already have.

Puck Shy was what I’ve come to expect from author Teagan Hunter. It was a fast-paced romance filled with fun. Here are some things I loved about her first sports romance:

There was a hilarious meet cute
Collin was a hockey player with a chip of his shoulder and Harper was a self-employed artist with a unique twist
There were several hockey scenes
Fun side characters like Collin’s teammates and Harper’s best friend
There was even cameos of a couple of beloved previous Hunter characters
Some fun horror movies stuff (Perfect for this time of year!)
Teagan Hunter’s trademark humor
Low angst
Online and text communication
More entertaining situations than I could count
Not to mention — a sweet love story

That’s a lot to love, right? There were only a couple of things that nagged at me:

Collin’s multiple lies of omission. I’m not a big fan of lies of omission or romances built on lies in general.
I wanted to know how Harper reacted when she learned something Collin heard. I felt like that was a big part of this story and I didn’t get it. It was mentioned away quickly.

Puck Shy was a great start to what is sure to be a fun Carolina Comets series. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book.

Review: The Pact (Max Monroe)

The Pact
Series: Winslow Brothers, #2
Authors: Max Monroe
Publication Date: November 13, 2021
Publisher: Max Monroe LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

“I need a ride,” I said to a sexy stranger on a Harley.

Three hours later? A six-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe was officiating our Vegas wedding at the Happy Chapel.

But it’s not love—it’s business—a marriage pact made out of desperation so my career doesn’t go up in flames.

Sure, Flynn Winslow is a hot, broody, mysterious man that women all over the globe would sell their souls to land for real, but I have my eyes on the prize and our marriage arrangement will end in three months with no strings attached.

Right?

Or will it all go out the window when I have to move in with Mr. Mysterious and our fake marriage starts to feel remarkably real?

I wish it were as easy as telling myself, Do not fall in love with your fake husband, Daisy, but apparently, when feelings get involved, not everything that happens in Vegas knows how to stay in Vegas.

Max Monroe + Married in Vegas to a stranger + Fake relationship = An entertaining and totally swoon worthy romance

Is that enough for a review? Because I feel like it is. Just in case it’s not…

Flynn Winslow is my new favorite Winslow brother. We’ve really only got Jude so far, so I can’t be say whether this will hold up over the course of the series, but I’m betting it will. His silent, stoic nature made him a mystery to many of those around him, and it made me a big fan. I loved his quiet ways. Daisy, on the other hand, was a talker. She was a person who wore her emotions on her sleeve and had a little bit of a nervous energy swirling around her. I loved Flynn’s ability to know what Daisy needed emotionally before even she did and how to quiet her mind. Daisy, in return, knew how to get Flynn talking. They balanced each other out very nicely. Plus, their chemistry was insane. I adored them as a couple. The Pact shows once again why Max Monroe romantic comedies are some of the best.

Series Review: Here’s To (Teagan Hunter)

If you’re like me, you found Teagan Hunter’s books starting with Let’s Get Textual and read from there. I had wanted to go back and read through her backlist, but just hadn’t had time. I finally found the time, and I am so happy I did! Here are mini reviews for each book in her Here’s To NA contemporary romance series.

Here’s to Tomorrow
Series: Here’s To, #1
Author: Teagan Hunter
Publication Date: February 9, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I flew through Here’s to Tomorrow. It was exactly what I would expect from a NA romance written in 2015. It was sweet and made me fall in love with the characters and their romance, but there was also an intense climax that hit the heart strings. I loved Rae and Hudson. Hudson’s daughter, Joey, was exactly the type of little kid I enjoy reading about. I also loved Rae and Hudson’s friends. There were so many funny moments and pop culture nods to entertain me. I gave this book 5 stars because I had such a great time reading it, and because I know I would have had I read it at release.

Here’s to Yesterday
Series: Here’s To, #2
Author: Teagan Hunter
Publication Date: August 18, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I’m not one for books where someone falls in love with their ex’s sibling, but this one worked for me. I have to credit Hunter because she set up Tanner in such a way that I didn’t like him and gave such a good look at Maura’s thoughts that I was rooting for Maura and Tucker. I’m happy about that because Maura and Tucker had chemistry and an emotional connection I loved. Plus, I loved both of these characters, especially Tucker. I also loved the way the dual POV were set up in this one. It was unique and fun.

Note: You might notice that I reviewed book 2 before book 1.5. I did that because that was how they were place and I read them in the box set for this series.

Here’s to Forever
Series: Here’s To, #1.5
Author: Teagan Hunter
Publication Date: February 18, 2016
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

This novella was so angsty! Rae and Hudson go through some heavier stuff and it made me sad that had to happen, but it also led to some sweet moments. I ended up loving how it wrapped up.

Here’s to Now
Series: Here’s To, #3
Author: Teagan Hunter
Publication Date: November 11, 2016
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I loved Gaige. I loved his backstory, which I didn’t pick up on in the previous books. It was interesting only having his POV and how that made the story play out. It worked for me with the exception of one thing: the 6 months. You’ll know what I mean if you read this one. Gaige and Haley’s friendship/relationship started out in a cool way and I enjoyed how it progressed. I loved everything about the book with the exception of those 6 months. I still feel like I missing them.

Overall thoughts on this series:

I went into this series not really knowing what to expect. Sometimes backlist series show the evolution of an author’s skills and they aren’t as good as the newer stuff the author is writing. That is not the case with this series. I was very impressed with it. It’s classic new adult romance, which I love. I enjoyed every minute binging this series. I’m a little sad Perry isn’t likely to get a book, but even without it, this series went out on a good note. I would recommend it.

Review: The Attic on Queen Street (Karen White)

The Attic on Queen Street
Series: Tradd Street, #7
Author: Karen White
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Return to the house on Tradd Street one last time in this hauntingly spectacular finale to the bestselling series featuring psychic medium Melanie Trenholm.

After the devastating events of the past few months, the last thing Melanie Trenholm wants is to think about the future. Why, when her husband, Jack, has asked for a separation—a separation that might have been her fault? Nevertheless, with twin toddlers, a stepdaughter leaving for college soon, a real estate career to resume and a historic home that is still being restored, Melanie doesn’t have much time to wonder where it all went wrong—but that doesn’t stop her from trying to win her husband back.

Their relationship issues are pushed aside, however, when longtime nemesis, Marc Longo, comes to them with a proposition: allow their Tradd Street house to be used as the filming location for the movie adaptation of Marc’s bestselling book, and he will help Jack re-establish his stalled writing career. Despite Melanie’s hesitation, Jack jumps at the chance. But Melanie’s doubts soon prove to be well founded when she uncovers ulterior reasons for Marc wanting to be back in their house—reasons that include a hidden gem so brilliant that legend links it to the most infamous jewel of all, the Hope Diamond.

But Melanie has an unexpected ally in protecting the house and its inhabitants—the ghost of a Civil War era girl warns her of increasing threats to her family. But she’s not the only spirit who is haunting Melanie. A malevolent ghost seems determined to stop Melanie from investigating the decades-old murder of a friend’s sister, and this spirit will stop at nothing to protect its secrets—even from beyond the grave.

Melanie and Jack must work together to find the answers before evil spirits of past and present destroy everything they love.

Not going to lie… I was a little worried before I started reading this book. The last book, The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street, left me with some mixed feelings. The manipulation of Melanie by her family and her actions really bugged me. So much so that it was my least favorite book in the series by far. I started to feel like maybe this series was headed somewhere I didn’t want to go. Luckily, I was wrong. Karen White’s writing immediately pulled me in and never let me go. I was once again charmed by the Charleston, South Carolina setting and the characters and ghosts inhabiting it.

Melanie is going through a tough time in The Attic on Queen Street. Her marriage is in crisis. Jack has moved out and Melanie is trying to figure out how to make the changes she needs to repair things with him. She’s got twin toddlers and a high schooler to worry about. To add to the mess, Marc Longo is filming his stupid movie at her house and there is a ghost who needs her help in her friend Veronica’s attic on Queen Street. Melanie has a lot to take care of, and I loved all the ups and downs in this book.

If Melanie drove me nuts in the last book, she had my sympathy in this one. She was truly trying to work on herself despite dealing with a ton of grief and confusion. I loved that she was willing to work on her “flaws” and make herself a better person. Melanie learned so much about herself, and in turn how to navigate her crazy life better.

Jack… I normally love Jack because of how he loved Melanie and all her extra-ness. I could feel his love for her in this book as well, but he was the one who drove me batty this time around. I was just as confused over some of his actions as Melanie. I want to say more, but won’t give anything away, so I will say I thought the Melanie-Jack issue and romance stuff wrapped up well.

All of the side characters did better this time around. They still tried to influence Melanie, but it felt more positive and less preachy. They also all stepped up and supported her in helpful ways. I loved seeing her bond with her mother and half-sister strengthen. Jack and Melanie’s twins were just as adorable as ever. And Nola was growing up and learning some important lessons. I even loved how horrible Marc and Rebecca were.

As for the mystery, there were two going on at the same time. Both were interesting and entertaining. I especially enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on in the attic of Veronica’s house. I guessed the answer before it was revealed, but still loved how it all played out.

I absolutely loved this final book in the Tradd Street series. It completed things in the best way. It’s a little bittersweet that the series is ending because I had forgotten how much I love the setting and all of the characters. I’m super excited that White is writing a spin-off with Nola and Beau in New Orleans. I just know it’s going to be fun!

Review: Can You Handle It? (Whitney G.)

Can You Handle It?
Author: Whitney G.
Publication Date: October 31, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fiction
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

It all started with a sext message…

Well, it actually “ended,” but that’s a story for another day.

Freshly divorced, I decide to spend a week at a luxury retreat for singles.

I should’ve known better…

The only man I manage to “meet” is my massage therapist, who is way too young for me, but that doesn’t stop him from pursuing me at the resort.

He makes it all too tempting, all too easy to say yes.

Thankfully, I manage to check out without giving in, but he shows up at my doorstep days later to finish what we started.

The thing is, his age isn’t the only problem between us.

He’s also my best friend’s younger brother…

Can You Handle It? was a quick and steamy read. Harlow was dealing with the fallout of her divorce and it led her to reconnect with her best friend’s younger brother, Tyler. Harlow was hesitant to give Tyler a chance, but he was determined to win her over. Harlow and Tyler had an amazing chemistry. The age gap and way they reconnected was exciting. I really enjoyed this short novella — so much so that I would have loved a full length novel about them. I was a little disturbed by Chelsea and some of her antics, but I guess everyone has a friend who is a little over the top. Overall, this was a great addition to this series.

Review: Main Street Dealmaker (Brighton Walsh)

Main Street Dealmaker
Series: Holidays in Havenbrook, #1
Author: Brighton Walsh
Publication Date: October 28, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Fiction
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

All Sadie Rollins wants for Christmas is a break. Three years ago, she stumbled into her dream job as a wedding planner, but she’s been so bogged down with the minutiae of inn ownership that she can’t even enjoy it. She and her twin sister might have been bequeathed the Starlight Haven Inn, but the bed and breakfast didn’t come with much more than extra long hours and piles of debt.

Cole Donovan was looking for a fresh start when he moved to Havenbrook. Instead, his reputation as a cutthroat divorce attorney preceded him–and tainted his introduction to the only woman he’s had eyes for since his own divorce. Too bad she can’t stand him.

In a favor to her cousin, Sadie agrees to a little modeling in exchange for a spread in the country’s leading wedding magazine. All she has to do is wear a wedding dress and pretend to be smitten with a stranger for a couple hours. Except the fake groom is no stranger, and as much as she loathes Cole, her body hasn’t gotten the message. Neither, it seems, has his.

But though these opposites attract, there’s no way there could be any kind of a future for a wedding planner and a divorce attorney…right?

When I started Main Street Dealmaker I thought it seemed familiar to me. Then I realized I had the novella in the Winter Love anthology. I loved this steamy holiday romance set in my favorite small town setting of Havenbrook when I read it the first time, and dare I say it was even better the second time around?

Sadie and Cole were two people who had every reason to avoid each other considering his being her twin sister’s ex-husband’s divorce attorney. (A mouthful, I know.) When they’re thrown together for a project, neither can deny their attraction and the spark between them. Their intense chemistry leads to a passionate relationship and many swoon worthy moments. The holiday festivities and small town setting added even more fun to the story. Despite being a novella, it was felt like a full length holiday romance. I cannot wait for more books in this series. I am hoping Sadie’s twin sister is next!

Grab Your Copy Here!

Meet Brighton Walsh

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brighton Walsh spent a decade as a professional photographer before taking her storytelling in a different direction and reconnecting with her first love—writing.

She likes her books how she likes her tea—steamy and satisfying—and adores strong-willed heroines and the protective heroes who fall head over heels for them.

Brighton lives in the Midwest with her real life hero of a husband, her two kids—one who’s already taller than her and one who’s catching up too fast—and her dog who thinks she’s a queen. Her boy-filled house is the setting for dirty socks galore, frequent dance parties (okay, so it’s mostly her, by herself, while her children look on in horror), and more laughter than she thought possible.

Connect with Brighton Walsh

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Review: Wild Love (Rebecca Jenshak)

Wild Love
Series: Campus Nights, #4
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance, New Adult
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Johnny Maverick is a lot of things.
Great hockey player
Loyal friend
Rule breaker
Always up for a good time
And now, he’s my new roommate.

It’s only for a few weeks while I intern for the Wildcats – his new NHL team.
And there are some pros to living with my hot and ridiculous friend (or is that ridiculously hot?).
He’s fun and unexpectedly sweet, and he reminds me not to take myself too seriously.
I had no intention of breaking the one rule given to me on my first day on the job: no sleeping with the players.
And if I had, I never dreamed that player would be Johnny Maverick.

Wild Love was fantastic conclusion to the Campus Nights series. I’ve been waiting a long time for Maverick and Dakota’s romance, and I couldn’t have asked for a better story for them.

Going in, I knew Maverick was a big ladies man. I was worried that I wouldn’t understand how Dakota would be able to look past his hook up filled past. I was also a little concerned that Maverick would have trouble leaving his conquests behind. Luckily, neither of these things were a problem. Maverick and Dakota were perfect for each other and clicked in all the ways they needed to. There was already a strong friendship and attraction between them. Acting on the attraction led to a passion and love that was beyond what I expected for them. Their banter was priceless. Maverick and Dakota were perfect for each other and I didn’t want their story to end.

Another thing I didn’t want to end was this series because I am going to miss the characters so much! I loved getting to see them all again, supporting Maverick and Dakota. The friendships they share are ones I know would stand the test of time — if they were real people. I also loved the new friends that were made in Maverick’s hockey world. We’re getting a new series for this world and I couldn’t be happier about that if I have to give up this series.

Wild Love was an incredible sports romance. I loved the friends to more trope and how it was woven into new life transitions for both Maverick and Dakota. It was a fun, sweet read that warmed my heart.

PURCHASE NOW:

Amazon: https://smarturl.it/lifjzj
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3dyLICj
Nook: https://bit.ly/3cTu9xT
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2OnsHdy

Add to your Goodreads TBR: https://bit.ly/3f9aGtx

Review: Mistletoe Season (Michelle Major)

Mistletoe Season
Series: The Carolina Gils, #2
Authors: Michelle Major
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Spend the holidays in Magnolia, North Carolina, where two lonely hearts find exactly what they need for Christmas.

Anji Guilardi needs a man for Christmas—at least, according to her mother. What she really needs is to grow her fledgling catering business. Partnering with Magnolia’s Wildflower Inn holds promise, but when her mother falls ill, Anji’s drawn back to the responsibility of the family restaurant. Balancing work and her eight-year-old son, she has no time for romance…until Anji runs into Gabriel Carlyle.

Temporarily helping at his grandmother’s flower shop, Gabriel doesn’t plan to stick around, especially after he bumps into Anji, one of his childhood bullies. Sure, she’s all grown up and gorgeous now, and when they find themselves under the mistletoe, their chemistry is undeniable. But it’ll take more than a Christmas miracle for Anji to break through the defenses of Gabriel’s well-guarded heart and find a love built to last.

Michelle Major is back with another book in her The Carolina Girls series. This time we get a holiday romance between Angi and Gabe. Angi is having a hard time with things. She’s running her mother’s restaurant when she doesn’t want to be, trying to hold onto the catering gig she wants, raising her son alone, and taking care of her recuperating mother. The last thing she has time for is dating. That’s why she decides a fake relationship with Gabe, someone she doesn’t get along with, is the perfect thing to take the stress off. I liked Angi. The stress she was buckling under made me sad, but I loved how she rallied to make the best of things.

Gabe is also dealing with the stress of helping out a family member. He’s running his grandmother’s flower shop. He isn’t Angi’s biggest fan, as she and her friends bullied him in school. That changes as they get to know each other again and their fake relationship turns to more. I liked Gabe and Angi together. They had great chemistry. I loved that they worked through the tough stuff to turn into the couple they were. The way Angi’s son helped bring them together was sweet.

This was a good addition to The Carolina Girl series and a great holiday romance. The small town setting made the season.